World Music in Chicago

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States, with a thriving world music scene. This is fueled by one of the most important world music venues in the country, HotHouse (it ceased operations for nearly a year, but now is back); cultural centers such as Old Town School of Folk Music; and the annual World Music Festival Chicago.

The city is also well known as a center of Blues music. From its cradle in the American South (Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee), the Blues migrated north, up the Mississippi River. In Chicago, Blues music exploded and evolved, reaching international notoriety in the 1950s and 60s. The blues lounges in the heart of the South and West sides of Chicago created venues for new and old talent. Legendary Blues labels Alligator Records and Earwig Records were started in Chicago, as well as the influential Living Blues magazine.

There are still many popular blues lounges and club, including Rosa's and House of Blues (more are listed in the venues area). There is even a [http://chicagobluestour.com | Chicago blues Tour].

To find out what's happening in Chicago, check the Centerstage guide.

The list of venues in Chicago is extensive. The main two stages for world music are HotHouse and Old Town School of Folk Music. The rest of the venues listed below have programmed world music in the past. Some are venues used during the annual world music festival.

• Chicago Cultural Center
• Clarke House
• Columbia College
• Daley Center
• Empty Bottle
• Eli’s Cheesecake Fest
• Garfield Park Conservatory
• Hideout
• Humboldt Park Boathouse
• Instituto Cervantes Chicago
• Logan Square Auditorium
• Martyr’s
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Millennium Park
• Navy Pier
• Park West
• Preston Bradley Hall
• Raven Theatre's East Stage
• Rogers Park WMF
• Schubas
• Sonotheque
• South Shore Cultural Center
• University of Chicago (Albert Pick Hall)
• Wild Hare

• Checkerboard Lounge
• East Of The Ryan
• House of Blues Chicago
• Lee’s Unleaded Blues
• Linda’s Place
• Rosa’s Lounge
• Wallace’s Catfish Corner

Organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the weeklong World Music Festival Chicago showcases both traditional and contemporary music from many of the world's diverse cultures. Festival events include a mix of free and ticketed concerts, live radio broadcasts and educational workshops presented in museums, parks, cultural centers, plazas, theaters, bookstores, clubs and other venues throughout Chicago.

In additional, there are several major roots music festivals:

• Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
• Celtic Fest Chicago
• Chicago Blues Festival

• WBEZ
• WLUW
• WNUR
• WRTE
• Radio Arte
• WDCB
• WHPK

Instituto Cervantes Chicago KFAR Jewish Arts Center in Chicago

The Arabesque Foundation for Arab Culture, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of classical Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music. The Arabesque Foundation promotes concerts, publishes a magazine, conducts educational workshops, and produces recordings. One of its most popular activities is the annual Heartland Seminar. Arabesque Foundation for Arab Culture, 1836 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. (888) 699-2836 toll-free, (773) 856-6454 office, (866) 557-1749 fax.

Xauen Music of Chicago is dedicated to preserving the heritage of classical Arabic, Armenian, Turkish, and Sephardic music. Xauen Music produces concerts and tours; records and distributes CDs; publishes scores, magazines, and books; and conducts educational seminars. For information, call 847-830-8277.